Archive | August, 2010

That Android-based Dell Thunder from the leaked in April lineup has resurfaced in flesh and blood in somebody’s bedroom. The snapshots and the short video of the Thunder seem to confirm the 4.1” WVGA OLED screen, and the 8MP camera with LED flash.

The Dell Thunder is looking very chic on these pictures, and it seems like it will not only be turning heads, but could also offer a good Android experience, with its Snapdragon chipset, the custom Dell “Stage” UI, and a purported Hulu app.

The prototype in the leak is running barebones Android 2.1, but rumor has it that it will support Flash 10.1 content, which might mean one thing, considering also that Hulu runs on Flash – it should be shipping with Froyo when that time comes.

Today, Google has reduced the need to type on any Android handset running OS 2.2 or higher with the introduction of Google Voice Actions for Android. Instead of typing out that text you need to send, you can simply use your voice to compose the message and send it on its way. Using Voice Actions such as “Navigate to…” or “Go to…”, you will be able to vocalize search requests, ask for specific songs to be played and even request certain web pages like the New York Times. The Google search widget has been updated to include this new feature and a list of the Voice Actions can be found at the sourcelink.

Google Voice Actions and the new widget are pre-installed on the Motorola DROID 2, which launches today. If you are using another Android model running 2.2, you will need to update Voice Search, the Google Search Widget any any music apps that you use (Pandora, mSpot or Last.fm for example). Or, you can click on this link and scan the QR code to get you on the way to replacing much of your typing with talking.

It seems a little strange, but there is speculation that Sony Ericsson, a joint venture that has yet to launch any Android device with a higher build than 1.6, could soon be pushing out to market an Xperia and PlayStation branded phone that would run Android 3.0. With the focus obviously on gaming, the device would replace a slideout QWERTY keyboard with a game controller and be equipped with a screen between 3.7 and 4.1 inches with WVGA resolution or better. Some of the specs resemble what you would expect from a high-end Android device, such as a 1GHz processor and a 5MP camera.

The phone would have Android 3.0 on board and the Android Market will host games for the device in a special area that will only be accessible by this model. Eventually, other units might be allowed to download the games as long as game requirements are met. The library of titles are said to include older PSX games mixed with some new PSP titles. A release as soon as October is possible.

A device like this would be a win-win for all those involved. For Google, it would be a chance for Android to make some strides against the strong gaming capabilities of the iPhone/iPod and Sony Ericsson would get a shot at delivering a relevant, up-to-date Xperia model in the U.S. market, something that the joint venture has been unable to accomplish up to now.
source: Engadget via AndroidandMe

If you’re looking for a rich mobile web browsing experience that closely emulates the look and feel of desktop browsers, you only need to look at a handful of Android powered smartphones now that Adobe confirmed Flash 10 support for additional devices. We’ve already witnessed the HTC EVO 4G getting it and we know that it’s coming to the Motorola DROID X as well, but it’s also expected to become available for the HTC Droid Incredible, HTC Desire, Samsung Galaxy S, and the Motorola MILESTONE. So there are plenty of handset to think about if you’re in the process of bailing on your current device and shopping around for a new one. It’s assumed that Flash 10 support will be integrated with the various Android 2.2 Froyo updates that are expected to become available in the coming weeks. However, the actual availability date for each smartphone will vary, but at least we can all ready the champagne when the actual day comes around.

Unfortunately, users are reporting that this update doesn’t include Flash Player 10.1, but it should be coming soon. Mobile hotspot is also not present, so if you want these here and now, you will have to root the device.

Google sent out invitations for a mobile event to be held tomorrow. Google Maps Navigation for mobile was announced in a similar fashion, and we are curious what will it be now. We know they’ve been working on desktop version of the Android Market that will allow you to push apps OTA to your device, on streaming music solutions for Android, and expanding the paid market content to more countries.

It can be any of those things, or something totally unrelated, but we hold hopes in our hearts that it will be more goodies coming Android way. Your guess is as good as ours, but thankfully it will be known very soon.
source: IntoMobile

If you read our introductory article about the world of smartphone SoCs (System-on-a-Chip), you probably noticed that Texas Instruments has been one of the first companies to sample chips with the next generation Cortex-A9 architecture from ARM Holdings. Now, handsets with this chip are yet to be announced for 2011, but TI couldn’t help but boast that it is the first to license the yet nebulous successor to the A9, codenamed Eagle, which ARM will reveal later this year. Not only that, but the Houston-based company has obviously been buddy-buddy with ARM during the planning process of the new core, giving it a flying start ahead of the competition.

From announcing the ARM Cortex-A9 in 2009, to the first handsets with it, which will probably appear in 2011, there is a time gap of two years. Thus, we can safely assume that Eagle-based smartphones won’t be hitting shelves until 2012. Hopefully, the world will still exist by then, so we can all rejoice with the 28, or maybe even 20nm production process of the Eagle.

It promises low power consumption with performance comparable to that of Intel’s next iteration of the Moorestown mobile platform, which will most likely be produced with the 2x nm method as well. Cortex-A9 is optimized for dual-core performance at 45nm, so Eagle might be dual-core on 2x nm, or even quad-core, dream on.

ARM doesn’t actually produce the chipsets, they create the core and instructions, then license it out to companies that have the engineering and foundry resources to create custom smartphone and tablet SoCs like Qualcomm with its Snapdragon, Samsung’s Hummingbird, and TI with the OMAP family that is currently powering all of Mototola’s DROID line.
source: AnandTech

News regarding tablets have dominated the headlines of late, especially when a handful of traditional handset manufacturers are expected to dive head first into this vast and growing market. Samsung is making a name for itself in the US right now thanks to a healthy dose of Android powered smartphones that are currently, and soon will be, making their rounds. However, Samsung is already hard at work in bringing their Android tablet to market – with some believing that the Korean company would unveil it at an event tomorrow in New York City.

According to an article in JoongAng Daily, the device won’t be on hand at that event, but it will instead be revealed at IFA next month – an annual expo that will commence September 3 in Berlin. Just like the mix of Galaxy S smartphones out there, the Samsung Tab will naturally be a high-end tablet offering that will feature a 7” display, dual cameras, 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, GPS, and will be powered by Android 2.2 Froyo.
source: JoongAng Daily via Samsung Hub

Whether or not it was designed this way on purpose, Verizon now has created a bit more of an incentive for owners of the original Motorola DROID to upgrade to the DROID 2 starting Thursday. As we reported, the sequel to the hugely successful handset will be launched on August 12th with Android 2.2 already installed on the device. Right out of the box, the DROID 2 will have Adobe Flash Player 10.1. Owners of the original DROID will have to wait until August 18th to install the Flash Player from the Android Market, according to a leaked photo. Of course, the app will still require Android 2.2 which the DROID is expected to get on August 12th, the same date that the sequel launches. The result is that if you can’t wait 6 days to install the Flash Player on your original DROID, you can always upgrade to the DROID 2.

Adobe also has said that Flash Player 10.1 for other Froyo powered devices will be available in a few weeks. Models like the Motorola DROID X, Samsung Galaxy S, Motorola MILESTONE and the HTC Droid Incredible will soon have the necessary app ready for installation in the Android Market. We would expect it to be ready around the same August 18th date that should mark the launch of the software for the DROID.
source: Adobe, DroidLife

Variety is definitely a good thing for consumers especially when they want to purchase a handset that’s personalized to them, but thankfully Sony Ericsson is doing their part in offering a myriad of color options with their handsets. They’ve now added a gold version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini which is actually the seventh color scheme they came out with, plus a pink version of the Xperia X10 mini pro. The gold paint job on the Xperia X10 mini will definitely add some bling to your handset and would probably make some heads turn after once seeing the handset from afar. On the other hand, the pink X10 mini pro may be rather daring especially when you factor in the handset’s overall professional persona, but siding with it will most say that you’ve got a telling statement you’re not afraid to show off. Even though Sony Ericsson is pushing out various paint jobs for both handsets, we’d imagine that current owners are still waiting for an Android 2.1 update – which is slated for release some time this quarter. As for these striking new color options, they should become readily available soon – and maybe just in time for an Eclair dessert!
via SEMC Blog